Getting to business

Hippolyta finally pushed her plate away and spoke. "This wasn't just a social gathering, I'm afraid."

"What's wrong, mother?" asked Diana. You too were intrigued to know what this was about. The queen sighed and began, address her daughter as her 'little sun and stars', which you thought was really sweet.

"Felix Faust had made a deal with Hades but he felt betrayed when Hades went back on his word. So he acquired the Annihilator, an instrument of destruction originally made for Ares by Hephaestus, and had fine-tuned its weakness."

"What weakness?" you asked.

"**** was its fuel," Diana answered. "The more people fought it or around it, the longer it remained invincible."

"But Faust changed that, with his magic?" You seemed to have a firm grasp on the story so far.

"Yes," said Hippolyta. "My daughter and her friend, Shayera fought Faust as he was using the knowledge from Hades's library to distort the magical balance throughout the world from Tartarus." She stood up, looking stern again at you. "And now Faust is tormented by Hades for eternity."

"But I don't see what the problem is, then." You were a bit impatient for the point of the whole visit.

"Hades has been visiting me in my bedroom," the queen explained nervously, "every night since days after you restored him to his throne in Tartarus. He haunts my dreams..." Diana approached sympathetically to her mother's side.

"It's all right, mother. Hades is trapped in the Underworld. He cannot harm you."

"Yes, your majesty," you reassured also. "Don't worry about Hades. We can look out for you if he tries anything." The queen smiled as your suggestible voice calmed her.

"Thank you both," she commended. "I do feel better about Hades." So, with dinner over, you walk the queen to her chambers and you discuss with Diana about who'll take the first watch.

"I think I should. It can be my way of thanking your mom for letting me stay, despite the laws." Diana, of course felt a similar way to protect her mother for many reasons.

"I've faced Hades before, and he may tempt you somehow." Well, you didn't want that to happen, but you felt persistent.

"Diana, really. Why don't you get some sleep? I'll handle things." And suddenly, Diana felt sleepy, yawning while stretching her arms.

"Very well," she conceded. "But if any trouble rises, call for help, all right?" Taken aback a bit from her change in demeanor, you nod slowly at her. She turns about and walks down the hallway, the corridor echoing from her heels clacking against the floor.

As you were about to knock, you saw the door was open a crack. You argued with your conscience about being a peeping tom, and lightly knocked on the door and came right in.

What you saw gave you pause...